About Lampworking

Lampworking is the technique used to create small sculptures or beads using the flame of a torch. Lampwork beads are miniature works of art and are unique to each lampworker.

Steel rods (Mandrels) are coated with an anti-fluxing bead release that will allow the bead to be easily removed once complete.

We use rods of pre-coloured glass, which can originate from any number of countries, and basically build each bead from the inside out.

The tip of the desired coloured rod is introduced into the flame of the torch and heated until molten, this is then wound around the mandrel to form the base or 'footprint' of your bead.

Layer upon layer of glass can be added to this footprint, it all depends on what design the Artist has in mind, you can also add any number of emblishments such as fine silver, gold leaf or copper mesh. These will all give different results.

Once the bead is complete to the Artists satisfaction, perhaps after 5 minutes, maybe in excess of an hour later, the bead is placed in a digitally controlled, pre-heated kiln to regulate its temperature (this is dependant on the type of glass you are using) and then to be annealed.

Annealing is the process of cooling down the glass as slowly as possible in order to remove any stress that may remain as a result of it having become molten. Beads that are not annealed properly have a nasty tendancy to crack due to the pressure of these stress points, also referred to as 'Thermal Shock'. Glass Candy's beads are annealed overnight and take approximately 8 hours to reach room temperature.

The beads can now be removed from their mandrels (after a quick soak in a bucket to soften the bead release) cleaned, inspected for any flaws and then put to use. Whether it be assembly into jewellery, or to be offered to other designers for thier own use.

I would recommend Debby Gwaltney's 'The Beader's Handbook on Lampwork' for anyone wishing to learn more about lampwork beads.